Hundreds flock to Fletcher campus

Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.

Fletcher Technical Community College officials gave much the same pitch they’ve been giving for years to prospective students at an open house Tuesday — low cost, small classes, and classes than can transfer easily to a four-year university.

But this year they had a powerful new recruiting tool – the sprawling, still-gleaming new campus on La. 311.

“This is a nice building we have here,” bragged Director of Admissions Angela Hebert to a group of prospective students who filled one of the computer labs. “We’re pretty proud of it.”

Hebert’s pitch got an overhaul this year, and more than just a more impressive setting. It now includes five buildings to fit students’ needs.

Most importantly, Hebert told the students, the new campus is positioned to be more convenient for students who live outside Houma. It is closer to Assumption and Lafourche parishes and a shorter drive from New Orleans.

“We’re more accessible to a lot more people,” Hebert said. “We’re seeing a lot more interest from places other than Houma. We expect our enrollment’s going to go up.”

Besides the new building, school officials also pitched virtues that have traditionally been strong selling points, especially the ability to transfer credits to four-year schools like Nicholls State University.

With Nicholls — and other four-year schools — set to eliminate remedial classes, officials at both schools have pushed students who don’t immediately meet admissions standards to start at Fletcher.

“We’ve been planning for a long time for this transition,” Hebert said. “If you want to go to Nicholls but need just a little push to get in, we want you to come here.”

Several prospective students said the campus is nice, but said they focused on the low price and credit transfers.

The new campus did have a serious impact on Patsy Fakier, an alumnus of the school.

“I’m just speechless,” Fakier said, as she wandered through the halls. “I never imagined the school would have a building like this.”

Fakier, who is in her 80s, went to Fletcher decades ago to train as a nurse after working for the family jewelry business. She remembers going to school in the old building on St. Charles Street, with only a few dozen students in her class.

“My mouth fell open when I saw this place,” she said. “It’s just wonderful to see the school the way it is now.”

Fakier said the school impressed her so much that she got the learning itch again.

“I asked them if there was a cut-off date for how old you could be. They said there wasn’t,” Fakier said. “It could happen; you never know.”

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright

<p>Fletcher Technical Community College officials gave much the same pitch they've been giving for years to prospective students at an open house Tuesday — low cost, small classes, and classes than can transfer easily to a four-year university.</p><p>But this year they had a powerful new recruiting tool – the sprawling, still-gleaming new campus on La. 311.</p><p>“This is a nice building we have here,” bragged Director of Admissions Angela Hebert to a group of prospective students who filled one of the computer labs. “We're pretty proud of it.”</p><p>Hebert's pitch got an overhaul this year, and more than just a more impressive setting. It now includes five buildings to fit students' needs.</p><p>Most importantly, Hebert told the students, the new campus is positioned to be more convenient for students who live outside Houma. It is closer to Assumption and Lafourche parishes and a shorter drive from New Orleans.</p><p>“We're more accessible to a lot more people,” Hebert said. “We're seeing a lot more interest from places other than Houma. We expect our enrollment's going to go up.”</p><p>Besides the new building, school officials also pitched virtues that have traditionally been strong selling points, especially the ability to transfer credits to four-year schools like Nicholls State University.</p><p>With Nicholls — and other four-year schools — set to eliminate remedial classes, officials at both schools have pushed students who don't immediately meet admissions standards to start at Fletcher.</p><p>“We've been planning for a long time for this transition,” Hebert said. “If you want to go to Nicholls but need just a little push to get in, we want you to come here.”</p><p>Several prospective students said the campus is nice, but said they focused on the low price and credit transfers. </p><p>The new campus did have a serious impact on Patsy Fakier, an alumnus of the school.</p><p>“I'm just speechless,” Fakier said, as she wandered through the halls. “I never imagined the school would have a building like this.”</p><p>Fakier, who is in her 80s, went to Fletcher decades ago to train as a nurse after working for the family jewelry business. She remembers going to school in the old building on St. Charles Street, with only a few dozen students in her class. </p><p>“My mouth fell open when I saw this place,” she said. “It's just wonderful to see the school the way it is now.”</p><p>Fakier said the school impressed her so much that she got the learning itch again.</p><p>“I asked them if there was a cut-off date for how old you could be. They said there wasn't,” Fakier said. “It could happen; you never know.”</p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright</p><p>@dailycomet.com.</p>